My book is out! Finally, back at the office where it has been waiting. I have written a book on politicians’ expressions of anger and the impact those expressions have on viewers. It offers some new insights that haven’t been published elsewhere. 1/n

This is my doctoral dissertation that focuses on the two sides of anger. Following Hess (2014) and others anger has two sides: a hostile, destructive side and a positive side. It is an approach emotion and also a moral emotion with high coping potential.

When politicians display anger, they can signal their willingness to bring about change. Expressions of anger can also signal that someone cares and wants to change the dissatisfying status quo. As a social function it can signal “political empathy” (Kinder 1986).

Making anger a suitable expression for politicians of the opposition and potentially populist parties. Using survey experiments I’ve analyzed the effects of anger expressions for various forms of anger.

Anger focused on social injustice (Gregor Gysi), incivility in political talk shows (Sigmar Gabriel), and party conventions (Angela Merkel). By analyzing these case studies with survey experiments. I find that

Gysi is seen as more favorable (likeable, competent) when displaying positive anger. Gabriel is seen as a strong leader when showing incivility but not as being likeable. The ratings of Merkel’s leadership evaluations also depend on the co-occurrence of other politicians.

A lot of factors determine how political candidates are perceived (ethnicity, gender, party, appearance, …), making the effects of anger expressions very context-dependent (topics) and a double-edged sword for female candidates of the opposition. 7/7